Vijender Gupta urges universities to partner in public policy

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has called for universities to become active partners in the public policy process. Speaking at the Vice Chancellors’ Conclave 2026 in Faridabad, Gupta emphasized that effective legislation requires credible research, factual data, and ground-level evidence provided by academic institutions.

Gupta noted that while legislatures are responsible for making laws and approving budgets, universities can strengthen these processes through expert opinions on environmental legislation and increased student engagement with democratic institutions. He highlighted the urgent need for research-based inputs to address climate change realities, such as air pollution, groundwater depletion, and flooding in the Delhi and National Capital Region.

The two-day conclave, themed ‘Green Campus: Empowering Higher Educational Institutions for a Sustainable and Resilient Future,’ brought together various academic leaders, including representatives from IITs, IIMs, NITs, and IIITs.